The Determinants of Pakistan’s Bilateral Trade and Trade Potential with World: A Gravity Model Approach

Nonlinear measurement of gravity model with PPML regression technique has become admired for modeling international trade flows since it approves a better accounting for zero flows and excessive values in distribution tail. In the present study, we have endeavored to investigate the bilateral trade milieu of Pakistan with 198 trading cohorts over the time epoch (1992-2016) 25 years and to stumble on latent markets in case of Pakistan’s bilateral trade. The empirical results revealed that market size, bilateral exchange rates, income differential, common religion, border, and trade agreements positively influence bilateral trade volume while bilateral distance and landlocked countries showed a negative relationship towards bilateral trade of Pakistan with rest of the world. The outcome also illustrates that the trade pattern of Pakistan hinges on the Heckscher-Ohlin (H-O) theory, therefore, can be explained by the dissimilarity in factor endowments whereas the WTO membership does not have any influence on bilateral trade of Pakistan. Pakistan owns satisfactory potential to enhance its bilateral trade with nearly 102 countries. The highest potential lies with countries Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Somalia, Hong Kong, Iran and USA whereas actual trade has exceeded with countries like China, Oman, Spain, UAE, Germany, and the UK. Hence, there is need to address all measures to improve bilateral trade with potential countries moreover per se Pakistan can perhaps decrease or handle the trade discrepancy by targeting these economies, to bring about a reasonable quality in mutual trading relations

A New Perspective of the China - ASEAN Free Trade Area and the Story of Top Ten Products

The politics of modern world is changing every day and all developing countries look for new markets to survive in all situations. China, as the world’s leading producer, also looks for multiple markets to decrease the chances of any major setback of economy in future. In these lines, China has recently signed Free Trade Agreements with different nations. This study explores the impact of one such Free Trade Agreement between China and ASEAN countries. Taking a qualitative and descriptive approach, this paper studies the effects of this agreement on both the sides. Analysis determines that both the sides have great benefits in this kind of agreements. China’s trade with ASEAN countries has taken a positive outlook since 2010 after implementing this agreement. In addition, making more 93 percent items with zero tax has provided a boost to the trade between two sides. This exploration further explains that as a dominating partner in this agreement, China has obtained good deal of advantage after signing this agreement. The study suggests that China can establish a real target market by providing some benefits to other parties. In addition, China needs to continue working on such agreements not only with ASEAN but also with other neighboring countries to develop sustainable markets for future trade. Keywords: Free Trade Agreement, China, ASEAN, International Trade, International Economic

A Study of Stress Factor and Its Impact on Students Academic Performance at Secondary School Level

The existing study is entitled “a study of stress factor and its impact on student’s academic performance at secondary level”. The important motives of this study were to explore the stress impact on the students’ academic performance. Stress is the main role in student’s academic performance. The objectives of the study were to, investigate the type of stress links with student’s performance, evaluate the impacts of stress on the academic performances of student’s and differentiate the impacts of stress on the academic performances of male and female student’s. The population of this study consisted of all the secondary school of district Vehari (Burewala, Mailsi and Vehari), Punjab, Pakistan. The total sample size was contained 360 male and female From this population the researcher was taken a sample of (n=12) secondary schools from each tehsil of district Vehari. The researcher was further divided schools into two group (n=6) males and (n=6) female schools. The researcher was taken (n=10) students from each school selected as sample. The researcher was used simple random sampling technique for data collection. Five points Likert scale used in this research. 99% respondents are responding about the factor of stress impact on their academic performance. After collected data, the data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The tool (questionnaire) reliability of the collected data was 0.850 Cronbach alpha. In this study, a different test was applied to factor analysis and regression. Generally, the major findings of study exposed that there is a significant impact of stress on student’s academic performance. The study concluded that major factors of stress is teacher and parents. The study also determined that there is same effect of stress on male and female students. Keywords: Impact of Stress, Factor of stress on Male and Female. Learner Academic Performance DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-13-01 Publication date:May 31st 201

One Belt and One Road: Does China-Pakistan Economic Corridor benefit for Pakistan’s Economy?

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People's Republic of China have adored long-lasting and friendly ties – regardless of their ideological differences, evident in their very names. This article discusses economic cooperation between China and Pakistan with Chinese investment in Pakistani infrastructural growth. The plan was successfully launched to establish an economic corridor between China and Pakistan for which the two countries have signed contracts on the proposal for Pakistan China Economic Corridor (CPEC). The challenges in the political, security, and economic fields include political instability and insecurity. However looking at the CPEC, China should not bound it to the bilateral relations, but mull it over with a regional and comprehensive vision. China should encourage the Economic Corridor projects with the assistance of its "resilient power" in energy, transportation and infrastructure along with the "flexible power" of the Chinese and Pakistani think tanks, mass media, educational exchanges, strong cooperation and make arrangements for the complete implementation of the "One Belt and One Road" initiative. Keywords: CPEC, China-Pakistan, Bilateral Tarde, FTA, FDI, One Belt and One Roa

Impact of Openness on Economic Growth in Developing Economies: An Empirical Analysis

A country’s openness has been one of the primary driving forces for stimulating growth. Among researchers, it is still controversial to conclude openness-growth relationship. It might be the result of ignoring the mediation effect of some conditional variables. Although some papers have found that openness has a positive impact on economic growth, others have seriously questioned the significance of this finding. The objective of this study is to empirically explore openness-growth relationship using fixed capital stock as a mediator variable in a panel data set of 19 developing economies spanning 1980 to 2013. The study examines the relationship between trade openness and economic growth. The results outline that the direct impact of trade openness on economic growth is negative, while it tends to exert a positive effect on economic growth when fixed capital formation is taken as a mediating variable and show a threshold. The findings of the study may help policy-makers in selected developing countries to take advantage of increasing international trade by considering domestic development level of fixed capital formation

Impact of Openness on Economic Growth in Developing Economies: An Empirical Analysis

A country’s openness has been one of the primary driving forces for stimulating growth. Among researchers, it is still controversial to conclude openness-growth relationship. It might be the result of ignoring the mediation effect of some conditional variables. Although some papers have found that openness has a positive impact on economic growth, others have seriously questioned the significance of this finding. The objective of this study is to empirically explore openness-growth relationship using fixed capital stock as a mediator variable in a panel data set of 19 developing economies spanning 1980 to 2013. The study examines the relationship between trade openness and economic growth. The results outline that the direct impact of trade openness on economic growth is negative, while it tends to exert a positive effect on economic growth when fixed capital formation is taken as a mediating variable and show a threshold. The findings of the study may help policy-makers in selected developing countries to take advantage of increasing international trade by considering domestic development level of fixed capital formation

Biological Importance of Essential Oils

Essential oils are the volatile compounds having the oily fragrance. Essential oils are obtained from the different plant parts, and they are extracted from the different techniques and the most preferable method of extraction is the hydrodistillation which is cheap and easy to use. Plant parts including the flowers, leaves, stem, bark and roots are used for the isolation of essential oils. Essential oils are used in almost every field of life and because of these characteristics, the market of essential oils is growing rapidly. Essential oils are used in the aromatherapy and act as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, pain relievers, anxiety, depression. In the field of cosmetics and industries, the essential oils are used rapidly and mostly used in the perfume industries which are growing increasingly. Essential oils are used in the food preservations and many food items. Essential oils are used as the folk herbal medicines and their fragrance is used for the improvement of the mood and as the depression release

Factors Affecting Customer Satisfaction: A Case Study of Food Panda

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of service quality and social media marketing on customer satisfaction, mediating through the brand image of the food panda. This study also aims to examine the moderating role of the price on the relationship between the brand image and customer satisfaction. Methodology: The nature of this study is quantitative, so the researcher used the deductive approach.  Primary data was collected by a closed-ended questionnaire from the 354 frequent users of the food panda of Karachi city. After the initial screening, 332 respondents' data was accurate for further analysis. The data analysis technique was PLS-SEM, done by PLS Smart. Findings: From the results of this study, it was found that social media marketing and the service quality of the food panda have a significant positive impact on customer satisfaction. Price doesn’t exert any moderation effect on the satisfaction of the customers of Food Panda.  Conclusion: From this study, it is concluded that service quality and social media marketing are highly affecting customer satisfaction. So, that is why food panda must concentrate on its service quality to bring better satisfaction to its customers. Practical Implications: The findings will help the food panda to concentrate on the proper factors which are practically responsible for the satisfaction of its customers

Trade Opportunities, Competitiveness, and Trade Potential in Pakistan: An Analysis of GCC Regional Countries

Pakistan and GCC region share a common religion and cultural characteristics, increasing their importance to Pakistan regarding trade policy. To promote economic, cultural, and technical cooperation with GCC members, Pakistan is committed to signing a free trade arrangement with GCC. This paper aims to examine Pakistan's trade opportunities, competitiveness, and trade potential in the GCC region during 2003-2017. The result shows that Pakistan has the maximum comparative and competitive advantage with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and UAE amongst GCC countries. PPML shows that the main trade indicators responsible for Pakistan’s bilateral trade enhancement are GDP in both countries and partner country trade openness. Amongst the GCC countries, Pakistan has the highest trade potential with Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. In contrast, with UAE and Saudi Arabia, Pakistan has a lower trade potential than the rest of the countries. Therefore, Pakistan needs to sign FTA with GCC before boosting their mutual trade and cooperation

The application of gravity equation while accessing the environment of Pakistan-ASEAN technological trade flows

International trade, an important economic activity, has affected the human environment in varying degrees since its beginning. This research will carry out calculations and analyses on Pakistan-ASEAN bilateral and technological trade flows at a disaggregated level over 1995-2018. The current study found that medium-tech, high-tech, and low-tech trade flows, enhance economic growth in Pakistan and ASEAN, negatively impacting geographical distance by all technological trade flows. Similarly, the proportional element endowment confirms the Hecksher-Ohlin hypothesis. Yet, the perspective argues that countries with high production levels can exchange faster than their countries with lower output levels. Due to the variety in consumers’ taste, increased similarity yields increased technological trade volumes, highest values received by medium-tech trade flow, and total bilateral trade flow. Depreciation in exchange rates showing a positive sign for total bilateral trade, low-tech trade, and high-tech trade, whereas unenthusiastic in the case of medium-tech trade flow between Pakistan-ASEAN nations. Free trade agreement and WTO membership will also foster trade activities in conscientious and economic association in ecumenical. Pakistan trade patterns are different from ASEAN trade patterns, which increased the opportunity to enhance business activities